Free Fix You by Mari Carr Page B

without being geeky, funny without being obnoxious, interesting without being a gossip. As a result, pretty much everyone liked her. He helped a couple of the other guys keep the big bonfire going by chopping up kindling and tossing it onto the flames. Jackie had driven his truck right into the center of the field and was blasting loud rap music from speakers set up in the bed.
    Rob found an empty beach chair someone had abandoned and stretched out next to the fire. He got a kick out of watching his friends get drunker and drunker as the night progressed. A few girls came over and tried to engage him in conversation. Sheila kept leaning closer, accidentally brushing her tits against his arm. She was flying pretty high, sucking down wine coolers like water. For a minute, he considered inviting her to join him in the backseat of his car. Why not? It wasn’t like he’d see her after tonight.
    Hell, he thought, as he glanced around, chances were good he’d never see most of these kids again. He’d spent the last thirteen years of his life growing up with them. They’d studied for exams together, pretended to read books for book reports, choked down disgusting school lunches, ditched classes, roughhoused in the local pool each summer, and he’d made out with more than a few of the girls. These kids had been his friends, his enemies, and some were still strangers.
    It was weird to think tomorrow they would start to disappear—one by one—to go off to college or join the military or move away to take a job in some far-off city. He wondered if he should be more depressed about that fact. Strangely, he wasn’t upset at all.
    There was only one person from this class he never wanted to lose contact with and that was Zoey. They’d discussed their plans for after graduation at length. Both of them intended to remain home a bit longer. Zoey had signed up to take paralegal courses at the community college near their town. It was a two-year program. Meanwhile, Rob was switching his status at the grocery store from part-time to full-time, working to save money for his own place. He was determined to make a career of his music, something his father was finally starting to accept…begrudgingly. He’d stay at home as long as he could, then he and Zoey were going to get a place together. She’d be the perfect roommate.
    “So, Rob,” Sheila placed her hand on his knee, moving it slowly along his upper thigh, “why don’t we find somewhere private to celebrate?”
    He grinned, ready to accept her offer when something behind her caught his eye. Zoey had joined the circle of kids around the bonfire. She was bleary-eyed and unsteady on her feet. Rob’s gaze narrowed.
    Shit. She was drunk. He’d never seen Zoey drink in her life. He stood up. Sheila must have taken his movement as acquiescence because she grabbed his hand, intent on dragging him away to one of the tents set up for kids planning to spend the night.
    “Wait,” he said, releasing Sheila’s hand. “There’s, um, there’s something I need to do first. Meet you back here in a little while?”
    Sheila seemed a bit annoyed, but one of her friends chose that moment to offer her another wine cooler. She squealed when she saw the flavor and drifted away. Rob reconsidered coming back to find her. Sheila wasn’t exactly the brightest bulb.
    He circled the bonfire until he stood next to Zoey.
    “Hey,” she said, her voice unnaturally loud.
    “I see you’re having a good time.” He gestured to her cup. “What are you drinking?”
    “Kool-Aid. It’s really good. Wan’ some?” She offered him the cup, tipping it slightly and splashing some of the red drink on his jeans. “Oops. Shit.”
    She reached down to wipe it off, unaware of exactly where she was touching him. He hastily grabbed her wrist before she could stroke her hand along his cock a third time. Damn thing didn’t care who was touching it or why, it began to stiffen. He glanced over his shoulder. Fuck.